At least 11 people have lost their lives and more than 100,000 have been ordered to evacuate as the Los Angeles wildfires continue to ravage the US city. While reasons vary as to what caused the wildfire and how it spread through various parts of California, a portion of conservatives have blamed diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the firefighting department, with billionaires Elon Musk and Bill Ackman leading the charge on social media. . Meanwhile, President-elect Donald Trump blamed the wildfires on a small fish called the Delta smelt.
The boss of X (formerly Twitter) reposted several videos in which the firefighters’ DEI initiative was linked to the spread of wildfires.
“DEI means people DIE,” Mr. Musk wrote while sharing a video criticizing the firefighters’ stance.
DEI means people DIE https://t.co/f86ZXam5oz
– Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 9, 2025
The Tesla owner also cited TikTok’s Libs, a right-wing account that criticized the LAFD for its “racial equity plan” aimed at ending “systemic, institutional and structural racism.”
“They prioritized DEI over saving lives and homes,” Mr. Musk wrote.
They prioritized DEI over saving lives and homes https://t.co/KW1S7ZJEuJ
– Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 8, 2025
Notably, the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) has been led by Kristin Crowley since 2022, the department’s first woman and first LGBTQ chief.
When people said DEI could kill people, they were laughed at, or worse.
We must return to a country where jobs are awarded based on merit, experience and excellence rather than race, sex, gender and/or other forms of identity.
Would you like anything other than… https://t.co/SVtoAyJVgs
– Bill Ackman (@BillAckman) January 9, 2025
Read also | A Hollywood sign on fire? AI footage goes viral as wildfires rage in Los Angeles
Delta smelt
The Republican leader took his Truth Social handle and launched an attack on Governor Gavin Newsom and talked about said fish.
“He [Newsom] wanted to protect an essentially worthless fish called smelt, by giving it less water (didn’t work!), but he didn’t care about the people of California,” Mr. Trump said. wrote.
“Now the ultimate price is paid. I will demand that this incompetent governor allow beautiful, clean, fresh water to flow into California! He is responsible for this. On top of all that, no water for fire hydrants, not for firefighting planes.
Since the wildfires began, they have ravaged more than 20,000 acres of the upscale Pacific Palisades neighborhood, where firefighters said they were beginning to bring the blaze under control.
Although wildfires occur naturally, scientists say human-caused climate change is altering weather patterns and altering fire dynamics. Two wet years in Southern California gave way to a very dry year, leaving plenty of fuel dry and ready to burn.
